US Marines currently in Nigeria to help the government combat Boko
Haram terrorists have made their first arrests taking two male
suspects into custody after they were found in possession of arms and
ammunition during a targeted search.
Over the last week, US Marines have arrived in Nigeria to help with
the fight against terrorism after Boko Haram took their war of terror
to another level by abducting 234 pupils from Government Girls
Secondary School Chibok in Borno State. Acknowledging that the matter
was getting beyond its control, the Nigerian government swallowed its
pride and accepted outside help.
With the abduction coming at a time when Nigeria is hosting World
Economic Forum on Africa and inbetween two horrific bomb blasts in
Abuja, there has been a lot of international offer of support. France,
the UK, the US and China have all offered differing degrees of support
in the form of intelligence, training and military assistance.
Since Wednesday, US troops have arrived in Nigeria where they are
providing security for the WEF summit on Africa. It is expected that
the Marines will also join Nigerian soldiers in pursuing Boko Haram
into the Sambisa Forest in Borno State where they are believed to have
spirited the kidnapped girls to.
According to Major General Chris Olukolade, Nigeria’s director of
defence in¬formation, two suspected Boko Haram members were arrested
at Any¬ibe in Logo Local Gov¬ernment Area of Benue State. He added
that the duo, made up of a teenager and an elderly man, were arrested
during a cordon-and-search operation and found to be in possession of
Weapons found in their possession included two rifles, three locally
fabricated pistols and 61 rounds of special ammunition. Apparently,
the arms were found in the possession of the teenager he is currently
undergoing interrogation in custody.
US marines are highly specialised soldiers who have been deployed
effectively in areas affected by serious conflict and terrorism such
as Afghanistan and Iraq. It is not yet clear how many Marines will be
deployed to Nigeria as part of the current operation or if they will
establish a base in Borno State.
